2016 Winners

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the best of British ambition

The winners were announced at the glittering Awards Ceremony in front of 1,200 business leaders, Government, press and investors. Companies of all sizes and industries showed their excellence in business after a rigorous shortlist process and presentation our high-level judges.

bol foods - the lloyds bank new business of the year

The judges said

"When starting out,
BOL Foods set itself some bold and challenging strategic goals and has made very impressive progress towards achieving them. It has a fantastic brand story, benefits from strong and dynamic leadership and approaches all of its objectives in an energetic, wholly professional way. A very exciting business story."

About the award

This award recognises those that have exceeded their initial targets for growth and already show a significance within the industry they are operating in. The winning entry will demonstrate their business concept has met and overcome challenges, adopt a clear understanding of the market they operate in and have the foundations in place for continued success and potential expansion.

Finalists

anglia ruskin university - the duke of york award for university entrepreneurship

The judges said

"We that
Anglia Ruskin University have injected enterprise and innovation throughout the curriculum whilst working in partnership with key stakeholders. Their commitment to entrepreneurship and fostering a driven culture has led to initiatives such as the MedTech Campus, one of the world’s largest health innovation spaces."

About the award

This award recognises the work of universities to encourage, prepare and enable entrepreneurial opportunities, distinguishing those doing and delivering most.

Finalists

The judges said

“
wnDirect handles international logistics for ecommerce companies of all sizes, allowing British companies to scale their operations with ease and create borderless retail offerings. Their win is made all the more impressive given this is their second National Business Award, having been crowned winner of the ‘New Business of the Year’ award in 2013. The impressive offering on show from wnDirect, and all finalists supporting global and UK businesses, shows the strength of the UK economy.”

About the award

This award celebrates organisations that help businesses to increase profitability by improving efficiency, developing talent and implementing innovation, recognising the impact of ‘enablers’ that offer value beyond support products and services.

Finalists

The judges said

“In one of the most competitive processes in recent years, Frank is a worthy winner of the Inflexion Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Judges were particularly impressed with Frank’s healthcare software business, TPP. It's innovative platform to enable how clinical data is accessed on an international scale and the persistent way he expanded the business with his team.

By empowering and backing a rapidly growing team, many of whom are drawn locally from Leeds, Frank is also creating huge opportunities for young people and the community. We are all thrilled to celebrate such an exemplary winner of this award.”

About the award

Focusing on the contribution of a dynamic, creative and visionary leader, this Award recognises an enterprising individual who has achieved sustained levels of growth and strong financial performance through a culture of innovation, resilience and an ethos of inspiring others through their leadership style.

The judges said

“
OVO Energy is an outstanding example of a high growth business that has broken into an established market and used innovation to acquire hundreds of thousands of customers and significant revenues. Headquartered in Bristol, the company is creating jobs and wealth, with strong staff and customer engagement. It demonstrates all the attributes of a sustainable and purposeful disruptor.”

About the award

Recognising a market leading increase in sales, headcount, profitability, market share or geographical expansion over the last 3 years, this Award will go to the business demonstrating the highest levels of growth and a robust plan for sustainable financial performance.

New for 2016.

Finalists

hotel chocolat - the lloyds bank mid-market business of the year

The judges said

"
Hotel Chocolat was a standout winner in this category. Not only has the company established a strong and aspirational luxury chocolate brand but it has also successfully rolled out its retail stores both in the UK and overseas. In addition, management have successfully executed an IPO in what can only be described as a backdrop of volatile market conditions. As an innovative company with a strong growth trajectory the judges were of the opinion that Hotel Chocolat is very worthy of the accolade of Mid-Market Business of the Year."

About the award

Celebrating the contribution of mid-market businesses to the UK economy, this Award recognises businesses who continue to build on their success. Open to any publicly-listed company with a turnover of between £25m to £500m.

finalists

The judges said:

“
FanDuel is a business founded in the UK that is having a massive impact in America and looks set to replicate that success across the world. The team has done a phenomenal job of securing substantial investment which it has put to good use in building and quickly establishing a strong brand and innovative tech. Momentum is a powerful asset that helps fuel fast growth businesses, and FanDuel has successfully achieved remarkable traction.”

About this award

This Award recognises those best optimising all aspects of ecommerce to achieve growth and strong financial performance through exceptional customer experience.

Finalists

The judges said

“
DPD UK are a terrific team and are cleverly doing what’s best for the customer through exceptional service, competitive differentiation and highly engaged people - enabling DPD to buck trends and achieve strong.”

About this award

Celebrating those organisations demonstrating the link between customer service and profit, the KPMG Customer Focus Award recognises those constantly striving to exceed customer expectations, industry leading standards of service, and innovation around customer experience.

The judges said:

“The Orkney Fishermen’s Society made a strong impression on all members of the judging panel. This isn’t an easy thing to do when you are competing against a shortlist of talented finalists. The Society stood out from the crowd as they have taken a challenging industry, applied excellent business strategies including stakeholder engagement, and woven in the creative use of technology to create a North Sea success story in the face of adversity. We’re delighted that they have won this award, and offer our congratulations.” - Richard Hewitt, Co-founder of The Grichan Partnership

The judges felt this was a superbly rounded and inclusive approach to social and environmental management. They commented “the co-operative does well to look after the local fishing community, the sea bed, the marine environment and of course, Orkney Crab.”

About this award

This award will go to the organisation that can best demonstrate an outstanding commitment to sustainability.

Judges will look for evidence of how a sustainable approach has improved commercial performance, competitiveness, customer perception, staff engagement, and continued financial strength.

Finalists

jeff paterson & oliver du toit , fourex - the duke of york new entrepreneur of the year

“Sometimes the best ideas are the ones that are the most obvious.
Fourex ticked all the boxes to win the New Entrepreneur of the Year Award, they impressed the panel with how well the concept had been thought through and then executed. Their relentless drive for innovation has culminated in an outstanding product and a deserving winner.”

About this award

Celebrating the potential that exists within leaders of the UK’s most promising start-ups. We focus on the market opportunity identified, the model to capitalise on it, and how it has been executed within the first 18 months of trading.

diabetes.co.uk - the lloyds bank positive social impact award

The judges said

"We we're highly impressed by the sustained and effective positive social impact of Diabetes.co.uk. They evidenced clear and growing social impact in one of the most important health and social issues of our day. Using innovative, engaging but simple behaviour change and digital strategies, they combine customer engagement, use of data and mobile alongside both academic, charity and health partnerships, saving NHS budgets, and saving lives.

About the award

New for 2016, the Positive Social Impact Award celebrates the organisations bringing their values to life through a range of social impact initiatives.

Recognising those achieving social impact through partnership, investment, pro-bono work, or employee led initiatives.

The judges said

“In a close-run competition,
M Squared stood out as a business that not only had innovation as part of its DNA, but one which really built commercial success around this approach. In a highly scientific field they really understood that the technology really had to stand as marketable product. To support this they have also developed a highly collaborative approach with not just interested parties, but also their staff and customers.”

about the award

This award recognises the company that successfully applies any form of innovation, celebrating the ideas that have had the greatest impact on an organisation or industry.

finalists

wales millenium centre - the business award for arts and creative services

The judges said

“Wales Millenium Centre inspired the judges. Their passionate leadership and move into creating own content produced an outstanding year for them.”

Wales Millennium Centre is Wales’ National Arts Venue – showcasing the very best West End performances on a Welsh stage, presenting made-in-Wales productions, and delivering an innovative creative learning and community programme to inspire a nation and change lives through art and culture.

About the award

New for 2016, this award celebrates organisations whose primary function is the delivery, development or production of the arts and Creative Services and the contribution the arts industry makes to the UK economy.

Finalists

craft yourself silly - the qbe business insurance new exporter of the year award

The judges said

"We felt that Craft Yourself Silly is an excellent example of the best of British design, successful thanks to its unrelenting determination and energy to make its overseas foray a success. The business and its Chief Executive have built their international sales in the face of many setbacks during their journey to now become an active and successful exporter from the North of England.

About the award

Recognising British businesses that have achieved the highest and most sustainable levels of international growth through exporting in the last 18 months, this Award focuses on all aspects of exporting and is looking for sustainable exporting models and innovative practices.

Finalists

luminus group - the howard kennedy employer of the year

The judges said

“
Luminus Group aims to lead renewal in society through excellence as a provider of homes, a community anchor and an inspirational employer. It is an outstanding example of how people can be fundamentally and enthusiastically engaged in achieving strategic goals and delivering corporate values. The development in the social enterprise of a dedicated, caring, collaborative and ‘can do` culture, supported by a deep investment in employees, has been central to how human and other resources have been continually optimised; ensuring essential, life-changing services have kept being delivered to clients, even during the recent unprecedented pressure on public finances.”

About this award

Celebrating organisations seeing the best return on an investment in people, this Award recognises the employee strategy that best attracts retains and develops talent – and how it contributes to sustainable growth and being an employer of choice.

Finalists

handmade burger Co. - the lloyds bank small to medium sized business of the year

The judges said

“handmade burger Co. has accomplished remarkable growth, built on their ability to listen to their customers and in developing new ideas.”

Gareth Oakley, Managing Director, SME Banking, Lloyds Banking Group said: “The Handmade Burger Company are an inspiration to all budding entrepreneurs. This is a business that has achieved rapid growth without ever compromising their original values and vision. They impressed the panel with their creativity and relentless drive for innovation and an obsession with customer feedback.”

About the award

Celebrating the contribution of SMEs to the UK economy, this Award recognises those who have maintained consistent growth and strong financial performance, understands its customer, has an engaged workforce with effective leadership, and is continually innovating to support future growth.

About the award

Ashridge Executive Education Leader of the Year Award is the highest accolade to be presented at the Lloyds Bank National Business Awards and will go to an exemplary leader who has successfully led a strategy for outstanding performance.

Finalists

sir james dyson - excellence in business award

The Excellence in Business Award was created to recognise the business personality who best represents achievement and longevity.
Synonymous with his or her business sector in the UK, the award acknowledges the winner’s sustained achievements within the business community during a distinguished career.

See the Awards gallery

Understand the scale of the Awards Ceremony and spot the VIPs in our photo gallery.